New consultant hired for Ukiah's Palace Hotel

The owner of the Palace Hotel told the Ukiah City Council Wednesday that she has hired a new consultant to oversee the removal of asbestos and lead from the building.

"We signed a contract March 6 (with Indoor Air Sciences of Petaluma)," said Eladia Laines, adding that the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District requested more samples, which the consultant took.

"He had already made a work plan, and I understand we'll be in the position soon to get a permit," Laines said.

Planning Director Charley Stump said representatives from the MCAQMD met recently with Laines and the consultant "and they're pleased that progress is being made. They're comfortable with the asbestos contractor, but as of this morning they had not received the proper paperwork yet."

Laines has yet to receive a permit from the City of Ukiah that would allow debris to be removed from the building and other significant work to begin as her ownership was in question, and the MCAQMD removed approval after her previous environmental consultant quit last year.

"It sounds like progress has been made," said Council member Mary Anne Landis, adding that she was "curious about how clear you are that title insurance can be established? That's an important piece of actually getting liftoff (in regards to finding investors for the building)."

Laines said it could be established and there were possible investors, but it would be inappropriate to name them.

The last time the council discussed the hotel, City Attorney David Rapport said he believed the ownership of the building was no longer in question.

"In my opinion, we've received, at least on the surface ... (documentation) that Unique Properties is the owner of record and Eladia Laines is authorized to act on their behalf," Rapport said, adding that Laines could apply for a building permit as far as the City of Ukiah was concerned.

However, he acknowledged that the MCAQMD needed to sign off on the consultant first.

The council then voted to continue a vote on whether to take over abatement of the building, and will hear a report from Laines next month.

Justine Frederiksen can be reached at udjjf@ukiahdj.com, on Twitter @JustFrederiksen or at 468-3521.